Ruffin’ it? A must-have pack for your pooch!

As April showers are coming to an end and with the weather getting nicer by the day, you may find yourself enjoying the great outdoors more and more with your pup. If you and your pup enjoy long walks or hikes then a backpack from Ruff Wear is just what you need to start the season off right. Dog backpacks are great for tiring out that high-energy dog or for having your pup lend a hand when you have too much to carry on your next adventure and the Approach Pack has it all.

This backpack boasts attached saddlebags with a weight-forward design, meant to make load carrying easy on your pup, waterproof zippers, reflective trim, and a comfort-fit Web Master Harness to ensure structure, stability and load dispersion. Also, the bag is adjustable so you can make it fit your dog perfectly without affecting his range of motion and it is padded so that it will be very comfortable during both long and short walks.

Whether your dog is carrying a water bottle or some yummy treats for later, giving your dog the job of carrying something for you can be great exercise and can do wonders for a dog’s mental well-being. My dog Baxter has tried out this pack and he did not mind helping me with carrying some light weight supplies on our walk together and he was twice as tired after our short walk, making this perfect for the pup who just never seems to get tired out after a walk. Best of all, I was extremely impressed with the quality construction and thoughtfulness put into the trail-savvy design to make it a practical addition to any hike with your dog.

The Approach Pack has everything your dog will need to ruff it on your next outing together and will keep him comfortable and looking cute too! Available in blue and green and sizes xxsmall to large, this pack can work for dogs of all breeds and sizes. So put your pup to work with this high-quality Approach Pack from Ruff Wear!

"Mom... I'm thirsty!"

With the weather in the northeast becoming nice and warm, our days of being cooped up inside are over. We are either walking in the neighborhood or playing in our other dog friend's yards.

When out with my dog, I make sure now to never leave my house without my dog's newest water bowl from Itzadog.com. These nifty little bowls are called Zuka Bowls, and are just the perfect size for a quick drink or a little something to nibble on. The Zuka Bowls come in two sizes, small and large, and in a wide variety colors and patterns. What I like most about the Zuka Bowl, is that it comes with a handy dandy carabiner that can easily hook onto a belt loop or leash. It can't get much more convenient than that.

Just like us, our furry friends need to be well hydrated in the summer. Make life easy for yourself and your dog, and carry around a Zuka Bowl from Itzadog.com. Your dog will thank you for it.

Want to win a 4 day/3 night vacation? Enter the Canine Celebrity Awards!

Every winter you watch the Academy Awards wishing you could be part of the action. Well, this year you can, ummm, or at least your dog can! Submit a photo or video of your own Celebrity Dog and next year you could be watching in person from the red carpet in Hollywood… or Honolulu… the Virgin Islands or any one of 28 World- Class destinations.

Dogs have been featured in movies, commercials and print ads since before Lassie was a puppy yet they normally don't receive the recognition they deserve. When was the last time a dog accepted an Oscar? (Dog Day Afternoon doesn't count!)

This month when the Academy announces it's nominees for Best Actor, Director and Producer one category will be conspicuously absent. Happytails Canine Spa Line will fill this void by honoring the fluffy set with its Canine Celebrity Awards. There will be two categories Best in Show- Photo and Best in Show- Video but with three winners each whose owners will each receive a vacation package valued at over $1,000.

Dog owners everywhere may begin to submit photos and videos of their own Canine Celebrity along with a short essay on why their dog deserves to win. Visit Happy Tails' website to enter, and check out this You Tube video which tells you more about the contest.

Winners will be announced at the Luxury Pet Pavilion in Los Angeles on Sunday February 24th (Oscar Day) by celebrity judge Lanease Adams, Hollywood actress and one of the bachelorettes on the first season of ABC's "the Bachelor". Have fun and enter today!

Going away for New Years?

I recently got a tour of my local PetSmart PetsHotel and Doggie Day Camp. What a cool place to house your pup when you need to travel or spend extended amounts of time away from home!

The facility was extremely clean and attractive. And it seemed very homey, too. You can get a dog atrium room (complete with lambskin blanket and a poochy cot) or a dog suite (add a TV with pet themed shows!). I like that there are always caregivers there, 24 hours a day. They are each safety-certified and vets are always on call (and some in the store!) There is a 24-hour monitoring system as well.

Some of the other great features include:
- extended pick up and drop off hours (including Sundays)
- Doggie Day Camp -- all-day play in their play room, is available for extra exercise and socialization
- There are separate cat and dog ventilation areas which minimize stress, and the air is circulated 3 times and hour. (And the entire hotel is air conditioned)
- Pet drinking water is filtered
- Best of all -- there is an area for pet parents to call and speak with their pets!

Additionally, you can have your dog groomed or trained while they stay at the pet hotel.

Rates are $25/night and up. (You can add things like extra play time and extra treats!) Take a video tour and see how neat this concept really is. If you need a place for your pet to stay, I would definitely consider your local PetSmart PetsHotel! (And if you stop by to check it out, pick up a copy of their free 2008 calendar -- it has a ton of coupons in it for grooming, training, and hotel stays)